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pistol, automatic

human history
  • Other Name

    Beretta Model 1915-1919 semi-automatic pistol, WW2 (descriptive name)

    RAE Smith, RNZN (descriptive name)

  • Description

    Beretta Model 1915-1919 semi-automatic pistol, WW2

    Italian Beretta M1919 or model 1915 semi-automatic pistol with leather holster and magazine; 6.35mm calibre; top ejecting; most of blueing still present

    holster: brown leather holster; with magazine pocket under flap

    missing: grips; firing pin

    markings:

    serial number on right side of slider: 621415

    on right hand side of body: 616014

    on safety mechanism inside pistol grip: 6014

    maker's details on right hand side of body: P. BERETTA-CAL.635-BREVETTATA / GARDONE V.T.1939 XVII

    manufacturer Brevettata, Gardone, Italy, c1939.

  • Place
    Italy
  • Associated Place

    Egypt

    New Zealand

  • Accession Number
    1983.119
  • Accession Date
    02 Sep 1983
  • Other Id

    A7099 (arms)

    454283 (police firearm registration number)

  • Department

    History

    War History

pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic, 1983.119, A7099, 454283, Photographed by Richard NG, digital, 17 Jan 2017, © Auckland Museum CC BY
  • pistol, automatic A7099

Artefact

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 1983.119, A7099
  • Primary Maker

     Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta (Maker)

  • Place
    Italy
  • Date
    1939
  • Associated Notes

    Italian Beretta Model 1915-1919 semi-automatic pistol, WW2

    This weapon was purchased in Alexandria by 4461 Ronald Alfred Ellis Smith, RNZN, from a South African driver in 1940, It is a type much favoured by Italian officers. Mr Smith was on HMS Leander at the time and carried this weapon for self protection in the many ports that they called at. It was never used except to threaten, eg "to get a taxi driver to take them to the dock during an air raid".

    Ronald Smith joined the Navy on 7 October 1938 as stoker 2nd class. He was posted to HMS Leander on 10 March 1939 served in her until September 1943 when she was sent to Boston. He was then a Leading Stoker. He then served on the minesweeper HMNZS Aroha that served with the British Pacific Fleet in 1945. He also served on the minesweeper HMNZS Waiho in NZ waters. After the war he served on the corvettes HMNZS Arbutus & Arabis. He was discharged in 1947 as a Petty Officer Stocker Mechanician.

  • Associated Event
    WW2; 1939-1945
  • Associated Person

     William Smith

     Royal New Zealand Navy

     HMS Leander

  • Associated Place

    Egypt

    New Zealand

  • Associated Date
    1940
  • Period

    World War 2/Wars

  • Signature/marks

    621415 & 616014 (firearm serial number)

  • Media

    steel/iron alloy/metal/inorganic material

    leather/animal material

  • Measurement Description
    length: 115mm; height (at grip): 90mm; calibre: 6.35mm
  • Measurement Reading

    115mm

    60mm

    20mm

    85mm

    150mm

    125mm

    28mm

  • Classification

    pistol

    handguns

    firearms

    arms & armaments

    Pistol, Automatic

    Pistol

    Handguns

    Firearms

    Armaments

    05 Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

  • Last Update
    11 Oct 2023
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

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